Fifth-wheel.



Patented Sept. 4, I900.

F. E. WILCUX.

FIFTH WHEEL.

(Application filed June 23, 1900 1 2 Sheets Sheei I.

(No Model.)

Patented Sept. 4, I900.

F. E. WILCDX.

FIFTH WHEEL.

(Application filed June 28, 1900.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

Unrrnn' STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK E. WVILOOX, OF MEOHANICSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA;

F|FTH-'WHEEL".

srncrrloarron forming part of Letters Patent to. 657,231, dated September 4, 1900; Application filed June 28, 1900- Serial No 21,926. (No model.)

To aZZ "whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK E. WILooX, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mechanicsburg, in the county of Cumberland and State of Pennsylvania,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fifth- WVheels; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The object of my invention is the production of an improved fifth-wheel which shall be simple in form and construction and comprised of as few parts as is possible, which shall have the parts so fashioned that when united dust and dirt will to a great degree be excluded, which shall have the parts so united that one element only (the lower plate) is movable, which shall have the center of rotation located in the rear of the axle, which shall have large areas of bearing-surfaces and the parts properly apportioned in size and strength to withstand the relative strains to which they may be subjected, which shall be durable, cheap in first cost, and comparatively easy to manufacture, and which withal shall possess other novel features and characteristics constituting it a superior instrumentality for performing the requisite f unctions.

W'ith the above end in view my invention consists,e'mprimis,in a fifth-wheel comprising three main elements-to wit, a top plate, a bottom plate and a coupling.

Further, it consists in a fifth-wheel having a top plate, a bottom plate, and a coupling rigidly secured to one of the plates and frictionally engaging the other plate.

Still fl1lhl11,lli consists in a fifth-wheel having a top plate, a bottom plate, and a coupling provided with a circular flange frictionally engaging one of the plates.

Finally, it consists in certain novelties of construction and combinations and arrangements of partshereinafterset forth,and specified in the claims.

The accompanying drawings illustrate three examples of the physical embodiment of my invention construct-ed according to the best modes I have so far devised for the practical application of the principle.

Figure 1 is alongit-udinal sectional view in elevation taken in a perpendicular plane and showing the three main elements of the fifthwheel, the lower plate being made separate from the axle, but secured thereto. Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the top plate. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the bottom plate. Fig. 4 is a top plan View of a modified form of construction in which two binding-bolts are used. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional View of Fig. 4, taken in a perpendicular plane and showing the bottom plate integral with the axle. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional View in elevation, showing a modified construction in connection with the coupling and binding-bolt.

Referring to the several figures, the numeral 1 designates the axle; 2, the top plate; 3, a seat for a spring; 4, seats for the reaches; 5, metallic plates which fit within the seats for the reaches and which may be made separate or integral therewith; 6, a seat for a concavoconvex or other washer; 7, a washer Within the seat; 8, recesses on the under side of the top plate to receive the nuts which secure a spring in position; 9, a circular seat for the cylindrical coupling; 10, dowel-pins on opposite sides of the" circular seat and located in the boundary line or surface of the seat; 11, a central hole through the plate; 12, a circular seat' for a felt or other washer; 13, a washer in the seat; 14, recesses each in the form of an arc of a circle and located on opposite sides ofthe top plate at the front and rear thereof; 15, lugs each in the form of an arc of a circle located on the top surface of the bottom plate and adapted to fit and move within the recesses 14 14 in the under side of the top plate; 16, a circular groove in the top surface of the bottom plate and located outside and adjacent the washer 13 when the plates are united; 17, a central hole through the bottom plate; 18, a circular groove in the under surface of the bottom plate; 19, a flange having a convex edge bounding the circular hole 17 through the bottom plate; 20, flanges at the front part of the bottom plate in Fig. 1, which engage the sides of the axle; 21, a cylindrical coupling; 22, the threaded bore of the coupling; 23, the circular flange of the coupling, adapted to fit the groove 18 in the under surface of the bottom plate;

24, a circular curvedor concave seat to receive the convex edge of the flange 19 of the lower plate; 25, seats in the edges of the coupling, within which the dowel-pins 10 snugly fit; 26, a threaded binding-bolt; 27, a nut, and 28 is the enlarged head of the bolt, which bears against the washer 7 and laps over the edge of the seat 6 for the same.

Referring to Figs. land 5,29 are two threaded binding-bolts used in lieu of the single bolt shown in Fig. 1. These bolts are preferably located in holes made through the cylindrical coupling and at or as near the outer surface thereof as is practicable. nuts on the ends of the threaded bolts.

Referring to Fig. 6, the ,numeral 31 designates a seat somewhat deeper than that shown in Fig. 1 and similarly located. 32 is a spring located within the seat and .surrounding the bolt; 33, a flange upon the end of the coupling, and 34 is a circular recess Within which the flange 33 fits. The function of the spring 32 is to hold the flange of the cylindrical coupling in frictional contact with the under surface of the bottom plate should the surfaces become worn and at the same time-hold the bottom plate in contact with the top plate. Furthermore, this spring will prevent any rattling of the parts and serve the same end as the concavo-convex washer 7 illustrated in Fig. 1 of the main example.

The method of uniting the several elements of the fifth-wheel is obvious from the illustrations and need not be set forth in detail.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have produced a fifth-wheel for vehicles which fulfilsfall the conditions set forth as the purpose or end of my invention and which besidespossesses many additional characteristics and features of special utility and value. Particular attention is called to the simplicity and strength of the construction. The top and bottom plates are of small dimensions and easily made. The coupling is a plain cylinder with a large circular flange which unites the bottom and top plates securely, affords ample bearing-surface, and is itself immovable relative to the top plate. The groove 16 will collect all dust or foreign matter which tween the top and bottom plates, and the large diameter of the coupling insures superabundance of. strength and ample bearing-surface.

While I have illustrated only three examples'of the physical embodiment of my inven- I tion, I do not thereby intend to exclude from the scope thereof other examples constructed by modes involving a similar application of the principle. Various alterations and modifications may of course be introduced at the will of the manufacturer-such as changes in size, shape, and the location of parts and the addition or omission of certain elements or features of construction without constituting a substantial departure.- 7

3O 30 are What I claim is- V I 1. The combination in a fifth-wheel, of atop plate; a bottom plate in connection with the axle; a coupling comprising a cylindrical portion with an integral radial flange at one end thereof; and means adjustably holding the parts together; the cylindrical portion of the said coupling passing through one of the plates and engaging the other plate, and the flange of the coupling bearing against the surface of one of the plates.

2. The combination in a fifth-wheel, of a top plate; a bottom plate in connection with the axle; a coupling comprising a cylindrical portion with an integral radial flange at one end thereof; and a bolt for holding the parts together; the cylindrical portion of the said coupling passing through one of the plates and engaging the other plate, and the flange of the coupling bearing against the'surface of one of the plates.

3. The combination in a fifth-wheel, of a top plate; a bottom plate in connection with the axle; a coupling comprising a cylindrical portion with a radial flange at one end thereof; and means for holding the plates and coupling united; the cylindrical portion of the said coupling passing through the bottom plate and engaging the top plate, and the flange of the coupling frictionally bearing against the surface of the bottom plate.

4. The combination in a fifth-wheel,- of a top plate; a bottom plate havinga circular groove in its under surface; and a cylindrical coupling passing through the bottom plate and engaging the top plate and having a circular flange fitting the groove in the bottom plate. 5.- The combination in a fifth-wheel having its center of rotation back of the axle, of a top plate; a bottom plate and a cylindrical Goup- V ling passing through one of the plates and frictionally engaging the other plate; one of said plates having recesses each side of the center of rotation, and the other plate having lugs adapted to fit and move Within the said recesses.

6. The combination in a fifth-wheel, of a top plate; a bottom plate; and a coupling; said coupling interlocking with one of the plates by means of a dowel pin or pins.

may by chance reach the bearing-surfaces be- 7. The combination in a fifth-wheel, or a top plate; a bottom plate, a cylindrical coupling j passing through one of the plates and frictionally engaging the other plate and having a threaded bore; and a threaded binding-bolt. 8. The combination in a fifth-wheel, of a top plate; a bottom plate; a cylindrical coupling passing through one of the plates and fric- 1 tionally engaging the other plate; a bindingbolt; and a spring or spring-washer to take up the wear of the parts and prevent rattling.

9. The combination in a fifth-wheel, of a top plate; abottom plate; a coupling; a bindingbolt and a spring or spring-washer surroundf ing the binding-bolt and located within a seat made in one of the plates.

10. The combination in a fifth-wheel havcoupling holds the top and bottom plates in ing its center of rotation back of the axle, of frictional contact and the enlarged head of a top plate having a seat for the end of the the coupling provides a bearing-surface for coupling; a bottom plate having a central the under surface of the bottom plate. 5 hole or passage; and a cylindrical coupling In testimony whereof I affix my signature r5 having an enlarged head with a bearing-surin presence of two Witnesses.

face; said coupling being inserted through FRANK E. W ILOOX. the bottom plate and engaging the seat in the Witnesses: top plate to which it is adj ustablysecured; the L. E. HIOKOK,

1o arrangement being such that the cylindrical II. II. MERCER. 

